Chicago kicks off holidays with parade, fireworks

CHICAGO (AP) — More than 1 million people are expected to kick off the holiday season at Chicago's 21st annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

The festival begins with live music from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 401 N. Michigan Ave.

At 5:30 p.m., the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade will step off at Oak Street and Michigan Avenue. The parade will make its way to Wacker Drive, with Mickey and Minnie Mouse helping light more than 200 trees along the way.

The festival will conclude with a fireworks display over the Chicago River.

The Chicago Transit Authority is rerouting some downtown buses and running additional trains to accommodate crowds.

Michigan Avenue will be closed to traffic from Oak to Wacker from 4:30 to 8 p.m.